Putting on a Yukata
I finally got to wear the yukata that my host family helped me pick out! I wore it to the Hitachi Port Festive here.
PUTTING ON A YUKATA:
A while ago, my host family helped me choose a wonderful yukata and ever since that day, I have been waiting for the chance to wear it. A yukata is a casual summer kimono which means it is cooler and easier to put on. Though putting it on does require a bit of effort still.
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Adjust the yukata.
1. After putting on the yukata, you have to make sure the garment is lying evenly across your shoulders. Once it is straight, you pull the yukata in front of you and pull up so that the bottom rests just above your ankles.
2. Once you have your desired length, take the right side of the yukata and draw it to your left hip. Next, take the left side over and to the right hip. (Be sure to do this correctly! The opposite way means you are going to a funeral!).
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Tie the yukata.
3. While holding your yukata together, take the thin string that (typically) comes with your yukata and tie it around your hip to keep your yukata in place. There should be excess fabric that drapes over the string. Adjust this part to keep the yukata length even all around.
4. There are slits in the underarm of the yukata. You have to slide your hands in to tighten the garment around your neck and chest from the inside. Once finished, tie another string under your chest to keep the placement of the yukata.
PUTTING ON THE OBI (SASH):
I have a pre-tied bow for my obi so I do not actually know how to tie a real one. Pre-tied bows are much easier to put on for beginners and I would highly recommend starting with one of these when getting your first yukata.
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You can see the towel I use under my pink obi.
1. I have to pad my waist because yukatas are meant to create a straight form. I use a towel to give myself a flatter image and I wrap it tightly around my waist before wrapping the obi over it.
2. Because my bow is pre-made, the obi is also different from an obi that is meant to be tied. It had strings on either side so I just have to wrap it twice around my waist and then tie the strings together.
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The white part under the bow is meant to slide into the obi and the strings will be drawn to the front to tie tightly.
3. Once the obi is tightly secured and the towel under is also safely in place, I slide the bow into the back of the obi. Then I take the strings from both sides of the bow and bring them to the front of my body to tie and tuck into place.
And it’s done!
To figure out how to properly put on the yukata, my host mom and I watched Uniqlo’s Youtube tutorial but for some reason, it is now unavailable. However, they do have a wonderful visual guide!
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At the Hitachi Port Festival with my host sister! As you can see, the yukata’s obi is very convenient to hold small, flat items, such as fans.
